Hospital ward locked down

A ward at Timaru Hospital, where two men are being treated after being stabbed in a gang fight in Timaru early yesterday, is in lockdown.

Four men were treated at the hospital following the incident at 3.20am in Dunkirk St. Two men were discharged yesterday and the other two remain in hospital.

South Canterbury District Health Board spokesperson Stacey Scott confirmed the ward in which gang members were being treated was in lockdown.

‘‘There is a heavy police presence at the hospital and people who come and go into the ward are being monitored.’’

Scott said the hospital had also increased its security and the SCDHB was confident all visitors and patients were not in any danger.

‘‘People can be reassured they will be safe,’’ Scott said.

Detective Sergeant Greg Harrison, of Timaru CIB, said police received multiple calls around 3.20am yesterday reporting a number of gang members fighting in the Dunkirk St area.

‘‘Three males were stabbed, and were taken to hospital – one in a serious condition, and two in a moderate condition,’’ Harrison said.

A fourth male, who also suffered a stab wound, arrived at the hospital shortly afterwards, and underwent surgery, he said.

Harrison said police believed all of those involved in the incident are known to each other.

Police carried out a scene examination in the area yesterday and also conducted inquiries.

‘‘We’d like to speak with anyone who saw or heard anything in this area in the early hours of this morning who hasn’t yet spoken to police.

‘‘We would also like to remind members of our community to please call police whenever you notice suspicious activity or behaviour, or have concern for your safety or anyone else’s,’’ Harrison said.

Acting Senior Sergeant Sam Winchester said: ‘‘We’re still trying to figure out what happened. Most of the people involved are not talking to us.’’ Timaru’s Harry Parker goes into the second round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship as the fastest qualifier in the supersport 300cc class.

The 18-year-old, in his second year of racing, is stepping up after finishing third in New Zealand in the 250cc class in 2018 and will race in the Timaru round of the superbike competition at Levels International Raceway this weekend.

He was the fastest qualifier at Ruapuna near Christchurch last weekend.

Parker, who is supported by his father Steve, said racing around the track at 180kmh was ‘‘a buzz’’.

‘‘When there’s a big group of about 30 of you racing it’s big fun,’’ he said.

He got into racing a couple of years ago when he asked his father Harry Parker if he could buy a motorcycle.

‘‘Dad said I couldn’t have one to ride on the road but said I was allowed to have one to race on the track.’’

Steve said it was safer for his son to race motorcycles on the track as opposed to riding them on the road.

Parker is racing at tomorrow.

‘‘Have it primed and keep smooth,’’ he said.

While the Timaru rider is hoping to push on at his home track this weekend, Palmerston North’s Jacob Stroud, Christchurch’s Jack Condon, New Plymouth’s Timothy looking forward to Levels today and it Gray and Dunedin’s Kevin Goddard have also revealed themselves as likely title contenders in the 300 class.

Parker crashed while leading at Ruapuna so is now forced to play catch-up in the points.

‘‘I led for a good half of the race, but then went wide after the hairpin and the front wheel washed out,’’ he said.

‘‘Levels is my favourite track and I’d race there every week if I could, so I hope to go well this weekend and just chip away at the points,’’ Parker said.

Other class leaders after last weekend’s series opener are Papamoa’s Leon Jacobs (250 Production